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    Jaffna
    David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    Sri Lanka

    Jaffna

    City

    Jaffna is the capital of the Northern Province and the cultural center of Sri Lankan Tamils, located approximately 396 kilometers north of Colombo.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Sri Lanka
    7. North
    9. Jaffna
    Jaffna is the capital of the Northern Province and the cultural center of Sri Lankan Tamils, located approximately 396 kilometers north of Colombo. You come here for its Hindu temples, colonial buildings, unique cuisine with the famous Jaffna crab curry, and the islands off the coast.Before the civil war, Jaffna was the country's second-largest city, with a population of around 88,000 in 2012. The historic Nallur district was the capital of the medieval Jaffna Kingdom and is today the city's religious heart, home to the Kandaswamy Temple. By the water in the coastal district of Gurunagar, the Fort and the Public Library are just a few meters apart.Other districts and suburbs include Chundikuli, Vannarpannai, and Kokkuvil. For excursions to the islands of Nainativu and Delft, it's best to set off early in the morning.

    Sights in Jaffna

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil
    Temple

    1Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

    The temple is dedicated to the god Murugan, who is worshipped here in the form of his spear (Vel). The previous structure was destroyed by the Portuguese in 1624; the current temple was built in 1734 under Dutch rule. The main entrance in the east is topped by a five-storey Dravidian-style Gopuram.
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    Jaffna Fort
    Historic Landmark

    2Jaffna Fort

    The Portuguese built the fort from 1618. In 1658, the Dutch captured and expanded it. The complex was heavily damaged during the civil war, but is now being restored with Dutch support. Part of it is still used by the military.
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    Nainativu
    Temple

    3Nainativu

    This small island is a pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Buddhists. Here stand the Hindu temple Nagapooshani Amman Kovil, which is dedicated to the goddess Parvati, and the Buddhist Nagadeepa Raja Maha Viharaya. From Kurikadduwan jetty, it's just a short boat ride.
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    Restaurants in Jaffna

    1

    Malayan Cafe

    A traditional eatery in the market district with an open courtyard, popular according to Lonely Planet for its Jaffna-style crab curry.
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    2

    Rio Ice Cream

    A well-known ice cream parlor near Nallur Temple, primarily visited for its sundaes. Orders are placed at one counter, picked up at another.
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    Temples, Feasts and Food

    Nallur Festival and Dress CodeThe city's most important festival is the approximately 25-day Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil temple festival, which usually takes place in August, featuring processions and temple chariots.Men enter the temple bare-chested with covered legs.Women cover shoulders and legs.Shoes are left outside, photography is restricted inside.Jaffna CuisineThe city is known for its spicy crab curry, often served with Paratha. Additionally, South Indian-influenced vegetarian dishes like Dosa are available.SafetyThe North was long a scene of civil war. Current travel and safety advisories can be found from the UK government's FCDO travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice).

    Arrival & On the Go

    TrainSri Lanka Railways runs three times daily from Colombo Fort to Jaffna, according to travel reports at 5:45, 11:50, and 20:00.Day trains take approximately 6 hours 45 minutes, the night train around 8 hours.All trains continue to Kankesanthurai; mind the correct stop.FlightJaffna International Airport in Palaly is about 13 kilometers from the center. IndiGo flies from Chennai (approx. 75 minutes) and, since March 2025, from Tiruchirappalli to Jaffna. Check current flight schedules in advance.To the IslandsFerries to Nainativu and Delft depart from Kurikadduwan on Punkudutivu Island, which is connected to Jaffna by road. Buses run from the city center to the jetty. The crossing to Delft takes 45 to 60 minutes; be there 30 minutes before departure.

    Accommodations in Jaffna

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    Nearby

    North

    North

    The North of Sri Lanka comprises the Northern Province with its capital Jaffna and the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya. You travel here to experience the country's Tamil culture: Hindu temples, unique cuisine, and flat islands off the coast.At its narrowest point, the province is only about 35 kilometers from India. Near Mannar, Adam's Bridge, a chain of limestone islands, almost connects the coast to the Indian mainland.
    Wilpattu National Park

    Wilpattu National Park

    Wilpattu National Park, covering approximately 1,317 square kilometers, is Sri Lanka's largest national park. It's located in the island's northwest, about 30 kilometers west of Anuradhapura and around 180 kilometers north of Colombo. You come here to observe leopards, sloth bears, and elephants in a tranquil, less-visited wilderness.Characteristic of the park are the Villus, natural, mostly circular depressions with gently sloping sandy banks that fill with rainwater. Approximately 106 lakes and waterholes are spread throughout the park. A 2018 camera trap survey recorded 133 leopards, including 17 cubs.Wilpattu became a protected area in 1905 and a National Park in 1938. Due to the civil war, it was closed from 1988 to 2003.
    Anuradhapura

    Anuradhapura

    Anuradhapura was the capital of the Sinhalese kings for over a millennium and remains to this day one of the holiest cities of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. Huge dagobas, monastery ruins, and the Sri Maha Bodhi, considered the oldest human-planted tree with a known planting date, attract pilgrims and travelers alike.The city lies about 205 kilometers north of Colombo, at the northern edge of the Cultural Triangle. Since the 1949 protection plan, the sacred Old Town with its ruins and the New Town to its east, with government offices, the railway station, and most accommodations, have been separated.The city was the royal seat from the 4th century BC until the end of the 10th century. Since 1982, the Sacred City of Anuradhapura is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. East of the city lies the pilgrim mountain Mihintale.
    Nilaveli & Pigeon Island

    Nilaveli & Pigeon Island

    Nilaveli is a beach resort about 16 kilometers northwest of Trincomalee on the east coast. You come here for the long sandy beach and, above all, for Pigeon Island National Park, which is only about one kilometer offshore and is considered one of Sri Lanka's best snorkeling spots.After the 2004 Tsunami and the civil war, visitors stayed away for a long time, but tourism has recovered since 2010. The village itself mainly consists of hotels, guesthouses, and simple restaurants along the coast; tourist life is concentrated on the beach section opposite the island.The name is often interpreted as a combination of Tamil Nilā (moonlight) and vèli (open land). The best time for boat trips and snorkeling is from about April or May to September; outside these months, the Northeast Monsoon makes the sea rough.
    Trincomalee

    Trincomalee

    Trincomalee, the capital of the Eastern Province, is home to one of the world's largest natural harbours. You come here for the Koneswaram Temple high above the sea, Fort Frederick, and the beaches north of the city, which are at their best from May to September.The circular harbour is framed by two headlands and terraced hills; Admiral Horatio Nelson reportedly called it the most beautiful harbour in the world. Fort Frederick is situated on the peninsula between the harbour and the open sea, with Swami Rock and the temple rising at its tip.Most accommodation and restaurants are not found in the centre, but in the northern beach district of Uppuveli, which is considered the city's resort area. From here, it's just a few kilometres to Nilaveli and Pigeon Island National Park.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
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